Adjustable electrical box and plate



Feb. 16, 1965 B. J. OTTEN ADJUSTABLE ELECTRICAL BOX AND PLATE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 24, .1962

BERNARD J. OTTEN.

INV EN TOR.

Fig-3 Feb. 16, 1965 a. J. OTTEN 3,170,023

' ADJUSTABLE ELECTRICAL, BOX AND PLATE Filed Dec. 24. 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BERNARD .LO'TTENQ INVENTOR.

i available. p a 7 A still further object of the present invention 1s to FIGUREZ is a This invention relates to a new mounting plate-elec- States Patent l trical switch, outlet, or junction box combination for use in new or existing structures, the principle features of this new device being provisions forsi-mplifying the task of installing the box in existing structures and provisions for adjusting-the depth of the box relative to the finished surface of the wall within which the box is installed.

Heretofore electrical switch, outlet, or junction boxes have been designed primarily for installation in new construction where the boxes are installed prior to installation of the wall surfacing material and where there is sufficientv working room; therefore, existing boxes do not incorporate adequate features to compensate for the limitedworking areaencountered when installing a box in an existing structure.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a meansiby which an electrical switch, outlet, or junction box can. be installed in existing structures with greater case than is possible with presently available boxes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a 7 means by which an electrical switch, outlet, or junction box can be adjusted on a mounting plate so that the depth of the box relative to the finished wall. surface can be varied. i l i 4 "A further object of thepresent invention isto provide a means by which an electrical switch, outlet, or; junction box canbe readi-l'y removed from amounting plate within a wall and another box serving a. similar or differentpurpose can be mounted onthesame plate thereby providing a degreeof interchangeability andflexibility notpresent-ly by which existing electrical switch, outlet,

or junction boxes can, byminor modiiication to the boxes, be more readily mounted in existingstructures. "These together with other ob cts and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside'in the details. of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter deprovide a means scribedtand claimed, reference being had to the acco rnpanyingldrawings forming a part hereof, wherein like nu- -merals refer to like partsvthroughout, and in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view,partially exploded, of

j arrears Patented Feb. 16,1965

' g Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the, drawings,1 is a mounting plate attached to a structural member'2, within a Wall, by means of nailsor screws passing through holes 3 in raised surfaces 4 of the mounting plate. The raised; surfaces Act the mounting plate are provided in such a manner that the top face of each raised surface is at an angle to the surface of the mounting plate. The holes 3 pass through the raised surfaces 4 at right angles to the top'face of each raised surface so that these holes are at an angle to the surface of the mounting plate. This angle is such that when nails orscrews are inserted, into the holes their heads will protrude readily through a hole c11 tinto 'a wall surface'for installation 'of an electrical switch, outlet, or junction box, thereby'providing adequate room for the use of tools. required to force the nails or screws into the structural wall member 2.. I i V Referring again to FIGURE 1, 5 are portions of the mounting plate raised to-form loops. These loopsare in rows, the loops in each row being concentric; with each other and with the closed end loop 6 at thebottom of eachlrow. These loopsare provided for the insertion of nails 7 or similar devices,-which are used to" secure the electrical switch, outlet, 'or junction box to themounting plate. The closed end loops 6 are provided so that'the ends of the nails 7 will be deflected inward into the structural member 2' or inward and between the structural member 2 and the mounting plate 1, thereby securely holding the nails in place. a

. is a view through axis 2- -2 of FIGURE 1 and shows the the mounting plate shownattached to a, wall structural member; 1

axis 2 -2 of FIGURE 1; 1

FIGURE 5 is a view, partially in cross-sectiomthrough axisS-Sof FIGURE 1; l

FIGURE 6 isa perspectiveviewof an electrical switch,

- outlet, or junction box showing provisions for attachment .of the boxlto the mounting plate, FIGURE 1';

FIGURE 7-is an alternate embodiment of-the'mounting plate'portionof theinvention;

. FFIGURE 9 isran alternateembodiment the box portion ofthe invention showing provisions forthe attachment of theb ox to the mounting plate ofFIGURE 7;

I -;FIGURE 10 presents anotherview of theattachment provisions shown in'FIGURE -9.

view,1partially in cross-section, through" i FIGURE8 is a viewfpa'rtially in cross s'ection, through theibox. through the loops 'points of the nails meetfthe closed ends of loops 6 the nailsare driven in so that the nail ends follow the curvature of the closed cndloops and either enter into the struchole 3 in the raised surface 4, so that the hole is at an fangle to the mounting plate surface, FIGURE 3 is a view of the same raised surface through laxis 3 3 of FIGURE 1, InFIGURE the angle of the raised sur- V V faced to the mounting plate surface is more apparent. The'hfle 3 through xxo,f FIGUREI3; a i

FIGUREl isan end viewof themo'unti ng plate 1, showing a side view of theloops 5 aridclos'ed'end loopo.

This figure also shows the bottomedge of the mounting plate being bentinward slightly so that a relatively sharp edge 33 is formed. When attaching the mounting plate to, a structural merr'ihe'r, this edge 13tends to diginto the, member and thereby prevents the 'mountingplatelfrom slipping as the mountingfnailsor screws are driven into I "themernber,"

FIGURE 5 isa view,'j man in cross-sectiomo through axis 5 -5of FIGURE This figure shows an end view 'of the'raised loopsthr ough'iwhich the nails 7 are passed. 3 FIGURES shows an electricalswitch,outlet,orjunc tion b'ox,f conventional in all respects except forthe b'ot- .tom which has two semi-circular holes 1401i one edge, and 'theleftsidewofthebox. Two grooves 11' are formedin theside 10 so thatwhen the box is attached to "the mounting plate o'ffPlGURE l therewill be, no interference between the box and the raised: surfaces 4 of themounting' plate. When fitted to themounting plate 1/ I the holes1 2 in the box side w mate ,withfthejloops 5 and ,6 of thernounting plate sothat the loops protrude into Sand 6 or FIGURE 1; When the turalmember 2 or wedge themselves between the mountingplate and structural memberQ ln'ithis mannerthe elecQ 1 I trical' switch, outlet; or junction box is securedto' the mounting plate. Ifthe box is to be removed, the nails i 7 can be withdrawn therebyfreeing the box. In this manner different boxes can be used withthe same mountf ing plate.

the raised surface 4 is along axis The nails 7' of FIGURE 1, then ar inserted Adjusting the depth of the box relative to the surface of the wall in which it is installed can be done by moving the box inward or outward within the wall as desired prior to mating the holes 12 of the box with the loops 5 and 6 of the mounting plate. The number and increments of adjustment possible will depend upon the number of loops and holes provided and the spacing between loops and between holes. The semi-circular holes 14 are provided so that there will be clearance between the bottom of the box and the mounting plate raised loops in the event that the box is so positioned on the mounting plate that the bottom of the box would interfere with any of the loops.

An alternate method of attaching the box to the mounting plate is shown in FIGURES 7 and 9. In FIGURE 7 the mounting plate is provided with raised wedges d, the edges of which are serrated, 9. These raised wedges are shown again in FIGURE 8, a view partially in cross section, through axis 8-8 of FIGURE 7.

In FIGURE 9 the box is shown with two sections of one wall punched outward to form two straps 15 protruding on the outside of this wall. These straps are for greater clarity again in FIGURE 10, a View looking downward at the top edge of the box wall. When attached to the mounting plate of FIGURE 7, the straps 1.5 of FIGURES 9 and 10 fit over the wedges 3 of FIGURE 7. The box is secured to the mounting plate by forcing the box inward so that the straps of FIGURES 9 and 10 are forced over the serrated edges 9 of the raised wedges 8 of the mounting plate. The serrated'edges prevent the box from loosening on the mounting plate. The serrations in combination with the taper of the wedges also provide some degree of adjustment in the depth of the box relative to the surface of the wall, this degree of adjustment depending upon the force with which the box is pushed over the serrated wedges.

The ease of installing existing electrical switch, outlet, or junction boxes in existing structures can be ap preciably increased by incorporating the existing boxes the raised surfaces and the mounting hole to wall angle features of FiGUREl and previously explained.

The foreging description and the accompanying drawings are considered as examples only since other designs and applications are possible. Such other designs and ap-' plications would fall within the scope of this invention as claimed.

What is now claimed as new is as follows: I 1. A combination of a mounting plate and an electrical switch, outlet, or junction box, the mounting plate comprising a sheet of plastic or metallic material, rectangular in shape, the sheet supporting one or more raised surfaces, the face of each raised surface forming an obtuse angle relative to the face of'the mounting plate, the face of each raised surface incorporating a hole substantially at right angles to and passing through said surface, each hole serving as a guide for a nail or screw in such a manner that the nail or screw inserted into the hole forms 7 an acute angle relative to the face of the mounting plate, the centerline ofthe nail or screw being in a plane substantially parallel to the two short edges of the mounting plate and substantially at right angles to the two long edges of the mounting plate, the mounting plate thus being capable of being secured to a wall structural member by means of a nail or screw passing through the hole or holes thus provided, the mounting plate also comprising one or more rows of open-ended raised loops, 1

the centerline of each row being substantially parallel to the two short edges of the mounting plate and being common to all loops in each row, the bottom loop in each row being closed atits bottom end, by a curved surface, this surface being convex on its outside and concave on its inside, each row of loops being so formed that it will allow a nail or similar device to be inserted through the loops until the point of the nail touches the inside, concave surface closing the bottom of the bottom loop, this concave surface then serving to guide the point of the nail outward to the underside of the mounting plate either into the wall structural member or between this member and the underside of the mounting plate, the electric switch, outlet, or junction box, of plastic or metallic material, comprising in one side wall one or more grooves, cutouts, or detents which provide clearance for the raised surfaces of the mounting plate, and one or more rows of holes which mate with the raised loops of the mounting plate, wherein the mounting plate is attached to a wall structural member by means of nails or screws pass ing through the holes in the mounting plate raised surfaces and thence into the wall structural member, and wherein the electrical switch, outlet, or junction box then is secured to the mounting plate by mating the box sidewall holes with the mounting plate loops and then passing 7 a nail or similar device through the mounting plate loops so that this nail will retain the box in its attached position.

2. A combination of a mounting plate and an electrical moving the box inward or outward relative to the wall surface prior to mating the box sidewall holes with the mounting plate raised loops.

3. A combination of a mounting plate and an electrical swiltch, outlet, or junction box as'defi'ned in claim 1 wherein means are provided so that the box can be removed easily from the mounting plate merely by removing the nails or similar devices securing the box to the mounting plate, without removing the mounting plate from the wall structural member, and wherein a different box serving a similar or different purpose can be secured to the same mounting plate, thereby providing greater flexibility and interchangeability in the use of such boxes;

4. A combination of a mounting plate and an elec- 5. A combination of a mounting plate and an electrical switch, outlet, or junction box as defined inclaim I in which means are provided whereby the nails or screws used to attach the mounting plate to a wall structural member are made more accessible for the use of the required tools in restricted work areas.

6. A combination of a mounting plate and an electrical switch, outlet, or junction box as definedi'n" claim 1 in which the mounting plateis provided with one or more,

protruding wedge shaped sections, in lieu of protruding loops, the wedges being tapered toward the upper or front edge of the plate, and in which one sidewall of the box is provided with protruding straps, or slots, onits outside, in

lieu'of a row or rows of holes, wherein the straps or slots on the box sidewall can be pushed over the mounting plate wedges thereby securing the box to the mounting plate.

7. A combination of a mounting plate and an electrical switch, outlet, or junction box as defined in claim 2 box sidewall so that there will be clearance between the bottom of the box and the mounting plate'raised loops in the event that the box is so positioned on the mounting plate that the bottom of the box would interfere with.

any of the loops. 7 r q 8. A combination of a mounting platev and an electrical.

switch, outlet, or junction box as defined in claim 1 in which the box is secured to the mounting plate by means of a nail or similar device through raised. loops in the mounting plate after the box sidewall holes have been mated with the raised loops and wherein the nail or o References (Jited by the Examiner UNlTED STATES PATENTS 691,874 1/02 Robinson 2203.9 1,026,164 5/12 Hofiman. 1,592,990 7/26 Raquette et al 22O-3.9

Raquette 248-223 X Plath 248--223 X Phiffer 17458 X Kettron 174-49 Hancock et a1. '2203.7 Cooper 1 2203.9 Appleton 220-39 Appleton 220-3.7 Modrey 248-2 23 X OTHER REFERENCES German printed application, 1,079,715 4/60.

DARRELL L. CLAY, Primary Examiner.

15 JOHN P. WELDMAN, JOHN F. BURNS, LARAMIE E.

ASKEN, Examiners. 

1. A COMBINATION OF MOUNTING PLATE AND AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH, OUTLET, OR JUNCTION BOX, THE MOUNTING PLATE COMPRISING A SHEET OF PLASTIC OR METALLIC MATERIAL, RECTANGULAR IN SHAPE, THE SHEET SUPPORTING ONE OR MORE RAISED SURFACES, THE FACE OF EACH RAISED SURFACE FORMING AN OBTUSE ANGLE RELATIVE TO THE FACE OF THE MOUNTING PLATE, THE FACE OF EACH RAISED SURFACE INCORPORATING A HOLE SUBSTANTIALLY AT RIGHT ANGLES TO AND PASSING THROUGH SAID SURFACE, EACH HOLE SERVING AS A GUIDE FOR A NAIL OR SCREW IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THE NAIL OR SCREW INSERTED INTO THE HOLE FORMS AN ACUTE ANGLE RELATIVE TO THE FACE OF THE MOUNTING PLATE, THE CENTERLINE OF THE NAIL OR SCREW BEING IN A PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE TWO SHORT EDGES OF THE MOUNTING PLATE AND SUBSTANTIALLY AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE TWO LONG EDGES OF THE MOUNTING PLATE, THE MOUNTING PLATE THUS BEING CAPABLE OF BEING SECURED TO A WALL STRUCTURAL MEMBER BY MEANS OF A NAIL OR SCREW PASSING THROUGH THE HOLE OR HOLES THUS PROVIDED, THE MOUNTING PLATE ALSO COMPRISING ONE OR MORE ROWS OF OPEN-ENDED RAISED LOOPS, THE CENTERLINE OF EACH ROW BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE TWO SHORT EDGES OF THE MOUNTING PLATE AND BEING COMMON TO ALL LOOPS IN EACH ROW, THE BOTTOM LOOP IN EACH ROW BEING CLOSED AT ITS BOTTM END, BY A CURVED SURFACE, THIS SURFACE BEING CONVEX ON ITS OUTSIDE AND CONCAVE ON ITS INSIDE, EACH ROW OF LOOPS BEING SO FORMED THAT IT WILL ALLOW A NAIL OR SIMILAR DEVICE TO BE INSERTED THROUGH THE LOOPS, UNTIL THE POINT OF THE NAIL TOUCHES THE INSIDE, CONCAVE SURFACE CLOSING THE BOTTOM OF THE BOTTOM LOOP, THIS CONCAVE SURFACE THEN SERVING TO GUIDE THE POINT OF THE NAIL OUTWARD TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE MOUNTING PLATE EITHER INTO THE WALL STRUCTURAL MEMBER OR BETWEEN THIS MEMBER AND THE UNDERSIDE OF THE MOUNTING PLATE, THE ELECTRIC SWITCH, OUTLET, OR JUNCTION BOX, OF PLASTIC OR METALLIC MATERIAL COMPRISING IN ONE SIDE WALL ONE OR MORE GROVES, CUTOUTS, OR DETENTS WHICH PROVIDE CLEARANCE FOR THE RAISED SURFACES OF THE MOUNTING PLATE, AND ONE OR MORE ROWS OF HOLES WHICH MATE WITH THE RAISED LOOPS OF THE MOUNTING PLATE, WHEREIN THE MOUNTING PLATE IS ATTACHED TO A WALL STRUCTURAL MEMBER BY MEANS OF NAILS OR SCREWS PASSING THROUGH THE HOLES IN THE MOUNTING PLATE RAISED SURFACES AND THENCE INTO THE WALL STRUCTURAL MEMBER, AND WHEREIN THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH, OUTLET, OR JUNCTION BOX THEN IS SECURED TO THE MOUNTING PLATE BY MATING THE BOX SIDEWALL HOLES WITH THE MOUNTING PLATE LOOPS AND THEN PASSING A NAIL OR SIMILAR DEVICE THROUGH THE MOUNTING PLATE LOOPS SO THAT THIS NAIL WILL RETAIN THE BOX IS ITS ATTACHED POSITION. 